NSC warns spies posing as foreign students

THE Philippines’ openness to foreign students should not be abused, and any attempt by other countries to use it to send spies will be thwarted, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Tuesday, warning those caught “will be dealt with firmly.”

“Any act of misrepresentation, concealment, and activity that compromise national security will be dealt with firmly,” National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Ano said in a statement. “Any attempt to exploit our openness, deceive our authorities, or operate against our national interest will be detected, disrupted, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

He issued the statement after authorities arrested a Mongolian national suspected of spying while staying in the Philippines as an aviation student. The 30-year-old foreigner did not disclose his ties with the Chinese military, and he allegedly took photos of an airport in a province facing the South China Sea.

“Such non-disclosure constitutes a serious violation of Philippine immigration laws,” Mr. Ano said. “Moreover, his presence and actions in Zambales near vital military locations are clearly inconsistent with his purpose of stay in the country.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio